Social English ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

 

ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

UNIT 57

Social English

All the collocations in this unit are typical of informal English.

A	Conversations Zita: I was looking for a birthday present for my nephew but I didn’t have much luck. You don’t have any bright ideas, do you? Alan: You could just give him some money or a book token perhaps? Zita: That thought occurred to me, but then it looks like I haven’t gone to any trouble.   Lisa: I really hate my sister’s new boyfriend, Greg. I went out for a meal with them last night and he really had a go at her for being late. He really got to her1. Pat: You’re being a bit hard on him. I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm2. Lisa: I’m not so sure about that. Actually, I don’t think I can bear the thought of ever having to spend time with him again. Pat: Well, it’s not you who is going out with him. I wouldn’t lose any sleep3 over it.   Ana: How do you feel about Nina going to work in Tasmania? Tania: Goodness, news travels fast! I didn’t realise anyone else knew about it yet. Well, it came as a bit of a shock when she first told me. But, to be brutally honest, now I’ve had time to think about it, I’m finding it a bit of a welcome relief. Ana: I know the feeling4. She can be good fun but she’s so sharp-tongued that I have to say I’ll be glad to see the back of5 her.   Paula: Are you up for6 going to Sam’s leaving party tonight? We’re planning to give him a really good send-off7. Adam: I really don’t think I can make it. I’m just too tired. The simple reason is I’ve been on the go8 all week and I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep for ages. I just can’t face the thought of going out tonight. Paula: Well, that’s a feeble excuse, if ever there was one. Adam: I know, and I feel terrible about it because I really like him. I might invite him to my house for dinner next week instead. Would you like to come too? Paula: Sure, I’ll be up for that. Give me a ring9 or drop me an email with the details. 1 made her very upset 2 intend to do or say anything hurtful 3 wouldn’t worry 4 I feel the same 5 happy to see someone leave 6 would you like to 7 do something special to say goodbye 8 been very busy 9 phone me
B	Common errors The Cambridge Learner Corpus shows that candidates for advanced English exams oft en make mistakes with these collocations: example of error correct sentence I hope I didn’t bring you any trouble. I hope I didn’t cause you any trouble / put you to any trouble. I’m very looking forward to seeing you. I’m really / very much looking forward to seeing you. I strongly hope you will apologise. I sincerely / very much hope you will apologise. I’m very delighted by your invitation. I’m absolutely delighted by your invitation. It’s a big pleasure to hear from you again. It’s a great pleasure to hear from you again.

EXERCISES

57.1	Choose the correct collocation to complete each short dialogue.   1 Jan: Have you decided what to do for Sophie’s birthday? Gus: No, I’m afraid I haven’t had any decent / bright / welcome ideas at all. 2 Liz: That wasn’t a very nice thing for her to say when we were only trying to get / make / give her a good send-off . Will: I know, but I’m sure she didn’t mean / lose / drop any harm. 3 Tom: Are you still on / up / in for a night out tonight? Sue: No, I’m afraid not. I really need to get a big / simple / decent night’s sleep tonight. 4 Ros: Congratulations! I hear you’ve been promoted. Ana: Wow! News goes / comes / travels fast! 5 Flo: I wish I hadn’t had / got / given a go at him for forgetting my birthday. Ed: Well, I wouldn’t lose any luck / sleep / shock over it! He’s very thick-skinned. 6 Nell: I wish I’d spent less time going out with my friends and more time revising. Tim: I mean / know / have the feeling. I made exactly the same mistake.
57.2	Correct the collocation errors in these sentences.   1 I’m very delighted with my wonderful present. 2 I’m absolutely shattered – I’ve been in the go all week. 3 It was a big pleasure to meet you. 4 I’m very looking forward to hearing from you soon. 5 It got as a bit of a shock when I heard that Ellen and Jim had split up. 6 To be strongly honest, I don’t think he’ll ever make a good teacher. 7 I didn’t get much luck when I was trying to find a new dress for the party. 8 I hope I didn’t bring your parents any trouble. 9 We strongly hope that you will visit us again soon. 10 The thought happened to me that he might be in some kind of trouble. 11 Please don’t come to any trouble on my account! 12 Drop me a ring when you want to be picked up from the station.
57.3	Complete the crossword.   Across 1 I don’t want to go there again tomorrow. I can’t _______ the thought of it. 2 He _______ got to me with his nasty comments. 3 Oddly enough, I found it a welcome _______ to be living in a much smaller flat. 4 Don’t forget to drop us an _______ from time to time. 5 I’m glad to be seeing the _______ of my old boss. 6 The simple _______ why I can’t stand him is that he was very rude to my best friend.   Down 1 You can’t be too tired to come out tonight. That’s a really _______ _______
	Over to you If you are not oft en in an English-speaking situation, you may find it hard to learn collocations that are typical of spoken English. English-language films can help. You can download scripts from www.simplyscripts.com. Get the script of your favourite film and note any good collocations from either the first or your favourite scene.

 

ANSWER KEY

 

57.1 1 bright 2 give; mean 3 up; decent 4 travels 5 had; sleep 6 know   57.2 1 I’m really/absolutely delighted with my wonderful present. 2 I’m absolutely shattered – I’ve been on the go all week. 3 It was a great pleasure to meet you. 4 I’m really / very much looking forward to hearing from you soon. 5 It came as a bit of a shock when I heard that Ellen and Jim had split up. 6 To be brutally honest, I don’t think he’ll ever make a good teacher. 7 I didn’t have much luck when I was trying to find a new dress for the party. 8 I hope I didn’t cause your parents any trouble. Or I hope I didn’t put your parents to any trouble. 9 We sincerely / very much hope that you will visit us again soon. 10 The thought occurred to me that he might be in some kind of trouble. 11 Please don’t go to any trouble on my account! 12 Give me a ring when you want to be picked up from the station.   57.3